The company of “The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen” at Imagination Stage. Photo by Margot Schulman.
Imagination Stage has a well-earned reputation for presenting innovative children’s theatre that does not talk down to its audience. It continues to impress with “The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen” by Gloria Bond Clunie, based on the 2014 book by Thelma Lynne Godin.
Harlem middle-schooler Kameeka, played with wide-eyed charm and verve by Kalen Robinson, wants to find the thing she can be the best at and decides it will be hula hooping. The problem is, her close friend Jamara, a fiery and sassy Renee Elizabeth Wilson, also lays claim to being the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street, with some justification.
Director Angelisa Gillyard’s production is full of positive energy, good vibes, and good lessons. It’s a treat for family members of any age.
What’s nice about the way their competition unfolds is that while Kameeka is the protagonist, Jamara is never presented as a villain or even as unlikable. She has a bit of an attitude about her hoopin’ skills, but it comes from the feelings of self-respect she generates from being really talented at something, and not from ego.
Keeping the peace between Kameeka and Jamara is Portia (Alana Thomas), a flute prodigy who has already found the thing she’s best at and just wants her two best friends to get along. Jasmine Joy plays Kameeka’s mother, balancing her exasperation with her hoop-distracted daughter with real affection and wise humor.
The relationship between Kameeka and Jamara is mirrored in the lifelong friendship of neighborhood elders Miz Adeline (Tamieka Chavis) and Miss Evelyn (Deidra LaWan Starnes). Miss Evelyn is the more doddering of the two, but her age belies her youthful energy. Miz Adeline, pushing 80 like her friend, seems much younger in her attitude and activity and shares her dear friend’s young-at-heart energy.
The action plays out on brightly colored set by Natsu Onoda Power that fully evokes an inner city residential neighborhood. Buildings in the distance are shown in mural styling that could also be painted on the side of a building. The stage itself is covered with bold pastels that look like children’s street chalkings but that also show doors and buildings, adding to the sense of rowhouses all around. One of the cleverest touches is a streetlight post with signage indicating the day of the action; the actors rotate it as the show proceeds. It also features a walk sign with the lit figure hula hooping.
There is of course a lot of hoopin’ in the show, and coach Latif Schofield has done a fine job of getting the cast up to speed. Dance interludes, with Thomas (who plays Portia) serving as captain, catch the audience’s eye during scene changes.
Director Angelisa Gillyard’s production is full of positive energy, good vibes, and good lessons. It’s a treat for family members of any age.
Running time: One hour and 15 minutes with no intermission.
“The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen” runs through April 14, 2023 at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. For tickets and more information, click here. Masks are recommended but not required while in the performance space.
